A Dublin councillor has hit out at “groovy hipsters” filmed drinking on the streets of the city over the weekend.
It comes after Grogans Pub on South William Street said it was left in a “disgraceful state” by people drinking on the streets on Saturday night.
The pub, which has been closed for eight months, said it was “furious” after rubbish was left around its premises and “signs of urination” on the side of the building.
8 months closed yesterday. Deemed unsafe to operate by NPHET and Gov.
Is this safer?
Clearly nearby properties don't have to follow the rules. Our premises is in a disgraceful state this morning with tons of rubbish and people using it as a toilet.
We are furious this morning. https://t.co/qLti0gPTKQ
— Grogans Castle Lounge (@GrogansPub) November 15, 2020
On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Independent Councillor Mannix Flynn called for a ban on the sale of takeaway pints to “groovy hipsters.”
“I think you stop the takeaway pints and you close that whole situation down and you look to subsidise businesses that are suffering,” he said. “I am all on for that.
“The idea that you can simply hand out alcohol out a window and go here you go lads; it is all cool and trendy.
“Don’t forget, these are all hipsters. I don’t see any family members or anybody over 60 sticking their hand in the window of a public house and taking out a pint.
“This is all groovy hipsters.”
"Groovy hipsters"
He said the people filmed drinking in the area, “don’t seem to have much regard for anybody else.”
“We have seen some of these hipsters trying to get up the like of Clanbrassil Street with six or seven pints on a tray,” he said.
“I think we have to take this seriously. You have to have respect for those who have died from this pandemic.”
He said street drinking has been an “ongoing issue” around South William Street and other parts of the city in recent weeks and accused those of taking part of having “contempt for the rest of us.”
“It is important to remember the vast majority of young people are adhering to the strict rules and conditions in relation to the pandemic and staying out of the city and staying away from social gatherings,” he said.
“This group was organised. They had contempt for the rest of us. They have come into South William Street. They behaved appallingly and refused to leave when residents asked them.
“The Gardaí took some time to get there because they are very, very busy and when they did get there, their powers are very limited.”
Coronavirus restrictions
Gardai said they attended South William Street and asked groups of people to disperse. They said no breaches of COVID-19 regulations were detected.
Cllr Flynn said the idea of takeaway pints is “absolutely adding insult to injury.”
“We are in the middle of a pandemic,” he said. “We are in the middle of serious health warnings. We are in the middle of people dying and people getting infected and we are in the middle of a global pandemic which is rising.
He claimed the only way to get the better of the virus is to socially restrict.
